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Tobacco and alcohol – the last great public health battles?An evidence review published last year found that “alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor attributable to early mortality, ill-health and disability for those aged 15 to 49 years”. If we are to tackle the societal, personal and economic damage inflicted through the continued use of tobacco and abuse of alcohol, we need to address this financial reality. It will be a brave politician indeed who sets out on that course.Rob Munro

GOLD report on the diagnosis and management of COPDThe new Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report on the prevention, diagnosis and management of COPD advises using inhaled steroids less frequently than in current practice. This article summarises the main recommendations of the report and the implications for GPs.Susan Mayor

Process overview: development of NICE guidelinesDeveloping NICE guidelines is a complex and involved procedure. This article provides an overview of the whole process from start to finish, including an inside view from a former NICE guideline committee chair.Joy Ogden

Deprescribing: reducing inappropriate polypharmacyInappropriate prescribing and polypharmacy, particularly in elderly patients, is associated with increased risk of falls, hospital admissions and death. Deprescribing has the potential to reduce these risks and has been advocated in several recent guidelines. But how can this be achieved safely and effectively?Angela Dowden

Recent advances in the management of chronic painCurrent treatments for chronic pain are often ineffective and are associated with some problematic side-effects. This article discusses some new approaches that may offer better treatment options for patients with chronic pain in the future.Kate Stewart

Opicapone: once-daily adjunctive therapy for Parkinson’s diseaseOpicapone (Ongentys) is a new once-daily catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor with a long duration of action allowing once-daily dosing, licensed for adjunctive therapy in adults with Parkinson’s disease and end-of-dose motor fluctuations. This article discusses its indications, efficacy and adverse effects.Steve Chaplin

Proposals on faster NHS access to new medicinesNICE and NHS England are consulting on changes to the way new treatments are appraised so that patients get access to the most cost-effective treatments much faster. This article summarises the main changes being planned.Steve Chaplin

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